Flying in the Face of Fear

Chapter 1HEADWINDS AND TAILWINDS

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

—Henry Ford

Figure 1.1 I experienced my first flight in a Cessna as a Civil Air Patrol cadet at San Jose International Airport. I was hooked!

LEARNING TO FLY

“It's all yours. You have control.” Control. The word echoed in my mind on repeat. I feel the sweat beads forming on my forehead. My hands are clammy, and my entire body is shaking. My stomach is a trapeze artist doing flips in the air. This is it! I have control!

The clear blue sky stretches out before me, and for miles around there is not another airplane to be seen. I glance down only to find a miniature town adorning a distant and unknown land. It is my turn to maneuver the precious metal. I turn the control handle to the right and to my surprise, the airplane rolls to the right. I turn the handle to the left and the plane rolls left. I shiver with excitement as the airplane maneuvers at my command.

I did it! It is the greatest feeling to know that I have control of something that had the potential to take me anywhere I wanted to go. I am free and there is nothing more I could ask for. I soar into the sunset knowing that I have accomplished my dream. I had flown an airplane!

I put these words to paper when I was 16 years old after flying a small airplane for ...